Woman tried to stop car theft gang
A woman has described how she hit a thief with a piece of metal before he drove off in her Land Rover and dumped it in Perth's northern suburbs.
Rosemary Headland’s gold Freelander was one of two cars found dumped today while police hunt the gang of up to five offenders they believe are responsible.
The five are still on the run this morning.
A black 2011 Aston Martin was the first car to be stolen when thieves forced their way into a Hillarys home between 9pm on Monday and 6.45am today.
The thieves also took several other items from the home.
Police spotted the car, which was worth at least $200,000, at the intersection of Pinjar Road and Joondalup Drive at 8.52am and attempted to pull it over.
After it failed to stop they chased it through Ocean Reef, Banksia Grove and Darch in what is understood to have been a high-speed chase.
About 10 minutes after it was spotted, just after 9am, the vehicle was found abandoned outside a home on Porchester Drive in Darch.
The home’s owner came outside and found one offender hiding under the car but he quickly fled the scene and rejoined the group.
The men then ran across a nursery and over a fence before entering Rosemary Headland’s home about 9.20am.
She was in her bathroom when the offenders ransacked her house, stealing approximately $20,000 of jewellery including her wedding ring and other sentimental pieces
Ms Headland said she tried to stop the men in their tracks.
“I was screaming,” she told Seven News.
“I had a piece of metal, I don’t know where I got it from but I had a piece of metal and I was whipping him across the arm with it,” she said.
The group then tried to steal her gold 2008 Land Rover Freelander, but again Ms Headland attempted to stop the men by refusing to let go of the car door.
Eventually the men got away and escaped police detection until they dumped the four-wheel-drive on Princess Drive in Balga, where it was found about 1.40pm.
It is believed a group of up to five men could be involved in the incidents, with at least one described as a young teenager by witnesses.
No description of the offenders was provided by police yesterday.
The Aston Martin, which had minor damage on its front when it was found, has since been towed away.
No description has been provided of the offenders, although police believe up to five men could be involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police guard a stolen Land Rover Freelander dumped in Balga. Picture: Bill Hatto/The West Australian
